Ultrasonic probe, charger, ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic system

ABSTRACT

An ultrasonic probe, a charger and an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and an ultrasonic diagnostic system that uses them are provided by the present invention, which comprises a detector for detecting whether or not an ultrasonic probe having a rechargeable battery or the charger for charging this is in charging state; and a controller for stopping transmitting and receiving operations of ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmitting and receiving circuit for executing the generation of a signal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves and the generation of the diagnostic information based on the signal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves; a probe switching circuit for selecting one of a plurality of ultrasonic probes; and a controller for controlling the probe switching circuit in accordance with a detection signal from the detector. The ultrasonic diagnostic system comprises the above-mentioned probes, chargers and diagnostic apparatus.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/250,905 filed Oct. 14, 2008, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cordless ultrasonic probe that uses arechargeable battery, a charger for charging this ultrasonic probe, anultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for switching and using a plurality ofultrasonic probes, and an ultrasonic diagnostic system including them.

BACKGROUND ART

In ultrasonic diagnosis, ultrasonic waves are transmitted into adiagnosis target, and an echo signal thereof is received, therebyobtaining various kinds of diagnostic pieces of information such as thetomogram of the diagnostic target and the like. Although thetransmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves were executed throughan ultrasonic probe, the conventional ultrasonic probe was configured tobe connected through a cable to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (inthis specification, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body is referredto as an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and a system that includes theultrasonic probe and the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus body isreferred to as the ultrasonic diagnostic system).

When the ultrasonic diagnosis is executed, there are the various stylessuch as a case that a patient lies down on a bed or sits on a chair, andother cases. Among them, even in the case that the patient lies down onthe bed, the probe is touched to the patient in the various statesdepending on the patient's position or diagnostic portion, and thediagnosis is executed. At that time, the number of operators who feeltroublesome in setting the cable is not small, and the easiness ofsetting such as the lightness and softness of the cable is one of thefeatures of the ultrasonic probe.

The following patent document 1 describes an ultrasonic diagnosticsystem that uses a cordless ultrasonic probe in which an ultrasonictransmitting/receiving unit operated with a secondary battery as anoperational power source is built, in order to solve thistroublesomeness. According to this ultrasonic diagnostic system, theultrasonic probe can be operated without any feeling of thetroublesomeness when the conventional cable is set around.

Also, the current diagnostic regions based on ultrasonic waves iswide-ranging, and there appears a system in which plural probes are usedby switching in accordance with each diagnostic region. In such aultrasonic diagnostic system, when selecting a probe to be used, therewas a necessity that the operator operates a selecting switch mounted onthe operational panel of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Therefore,an operator was required to memorize the relationship between probes tobe used and the selecting switch, and in that case, there was also apossibility that an incorrect selecting switch was operated.

The following patent document 2 describes an ultrasonic diagnosticsystem containing a controller in which among the plurality of probesconnected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the holding onto aprobe holder is identified by a sensor, and the transmission andreception of the ultrasonic waves can be performed on only the probethat is not held. According to this ultrasonic diagnostic system, theprobe to be used by the operator is taken out from the probe holderarranged in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. Thus, since thetaken-out probe is automatically switched to a usable state, theoperability is improved, and the burden on the operator is reduced.

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication    2003-10177 (Abstract)-   Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication    2000-107176 (Abstract)

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

However, since the cordless ultrasonic probe described in the patentdocument 1 operates using the secondary battery as the power source,unless the ultrasonic probe is charged, it cannot be used. For thisreason, it can be assumed that there may be a case in which, when theultrasonic probe is not used for diagnosis, it is connected to thecharger. At that time, in the charging state while the ultrasonic wavesare transmitted, a part of the charge amount per unit time, whichcorresponds to the energy required to transmit ultrasonic waves, isconsumed. Hence, there was a problem that the battery could not becharged efficiently in a short time.

Also, as described in the patent document 2, in the ultrasonicdiagnostic system in which the probe to be used is taken out from aprobe holding unit arranged in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus andthen the taken-out probe is automatically switched to the usable state,there is the necessity that a unit for externally identifying whether ornot the probe is held on the probe holding unit arranged in theultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is separately arranged.

The present invention is intended to solve the problems of theabove-mentioned conventional techniques. Therefore, its object is toprovide an ultrasonic probe, a charger, an ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic system, in which the ultrasonicprobe connected to the charger can be charged efficiently in a shorttime.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic system, with whichultrasonic diagnosis can be started by an operator without knowing as towhether or not the ultrasonic probe is in process of charging, and theimprovement of the operability can be consequently attained and theburden on the operator can be reduced.

In order to attain the above-mentioned objects, the present inventionprovide an ultrasonic probe comprising:

a rechargeable battery;

a transducer that uses said battery as an operational power source andtransmits and receives ultrasonic waves;

a communicator that uses said battery as the operational power sourceand wirelessly communicates with outside using a signal related to thetransmission and reception by said transducer;

a detector for detecting that said battery is connected to a charger;and

a controller for stopping transmitting and receiving operations of theultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when it isdetected by said detector that said battery is connected to saidcharger.

With this configuration, when the ultrasonic probe is connected to thecharger, the transmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonicwaves are automatically stopped, thereby suppressing the consumptioncorresponding to the energy required to transmit the ultrasonic waves.Thus, the charge amount per unit time is increased, and the ultrasonicprobe can be charged efficiently in a short time.

Also, the present invention is a charger for charging a battery of anultrasonic probe that contains a transducer for transmitting andreceiving ultrasonic waves using a rechargeable battery as anoperational power source, and a communicator for wirelesslycommunicating with outside using a signal related to the transmissionand reception by said transducer, said charger comprising:

a detector for detecting that said ultrasonic probe is connected to saidcharger to charge said battery; and

a controller for stopping the transmitting and receiving operations ofultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when theconnection of said ultrasonic probe is detected by said detector.

With this configuration, when the ultrasonic probe is connected to thecharger, the transmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonicwaves are automatically stopped, thereby enabling the ultrasonic probeto be charged efficiently in a short time.

Also, the present invention is a charger for charging a battery of anultrasonic probe that contains a transducer that uses a rechargeablebattery as an operational power source and executes transmitting andreceiving operations of ultrasonic waves, and a communicator thatwirelessly communicates with outside using a signal related to thetransmission and reception of said transducer, said charger comprising:

a detector for detecting that said ultrasonic probe is connected to saidcharger to charge said battery; and

a signal transmitter for transmitting a detection signal from saiddetector to outside.

Since this configuration enables the communication using the signalrelated to the transmission and reception by the transducer to be shutoff from the outside, the ultrasonic probe connected to the charger canbe charged efficiently in a short time.

Also, the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus thatuses respective rechargeable batteries as operational power sources, andsets, as the target of a communication, a plurality of ultrasonic probesfor executing: the transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves to andfrom an examinee; and the wireless transmission/reception of the signalrelated to the transmission and a reception of said ultrasonic waves toand from an external apparatus, and selects any one of said plurality ofultrasonic probes, in accordance with the detection signals obtained bydetecting that said ultrasonic probes are connected to the chargers forcharging said batteries, respectively, and transmits/receives the signalrelated to the transmission and reception of said ultrasonic waves, andcontains:

a communicator for wirelessly communicating the signal related to thetransmission and reception of said ultrasonic waves;

a transmitting and receiving circuit for generating the signal relatedto the transmission of the ultrasonic signal in said ultrasonic probe,and adding as the transmission signal to said ultrasonic probe to saidcommunicator, and generating a diagnostic information on the basis ofthe signal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves in saidultrasonic probe that is received in said communicator;

a probe switching circuit for selecting any one of said plurality ofultrasonic probes and enabling the transmission/reception to/from saidtransmitting and receiving circuit; and

a controller for controlling said probe switching circuit so that saidultrasonic probe which is not connected to said charger is selected, inaccordance with said detection signal.

With this configuration, when the operator removes the ultrasonic probeused for the diagnosis from the charger, only its ultrasonic probeexecutes the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves, and theultrasonic probe that is still connected to the charger does not executethe transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves. Thus, theultrasonic probe connected to the charger can be charged efficiently ina short time. Also, when the operator removes the ultrasonic probe usedfor the diagnosis from the charger, its ultrasonic probe isautomatically switched to the usable state. Thus, the operator has nonecessity of storing the relation between the ultrasonic probe and theselecting switch, and there is no fear that the selecting switch iserroneously operated. Hence, the improvement of the operability can beattained, and the burden on the operator can be decreased.

Also, the present invention is an ultrasonic diagnostic systemcomprising: a plurality of ultrasonic probes for transmitting andreceiving ultrasonic waves, a plurality of chargers for charging saidultrasonic probes respectively and individually, and an ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus for transmitting/receiving a signal to/from saidultrasonic probes to generate diagnostic information, wherein said probecomprises:

a rechargeable battery;

a transducer that uses said battery as an operational power source andtransmits and receives ultrasonic waves to and from an examinee; and

a first communicator that uses said battery as an operational powersource and wirelessly communicates, using a signal related to thetransmission and reception of said transducer, with said ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus,

said charger comprises:

a detector for detecting that said ultrasonic probe is connected; and

a signal transmitter for transmitting a detection signal from saiddetector to said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and

said ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises:

a communicator for wirelessly communicating by using a signal related tothe transmission and reception of said ultrasonic waves;

a transmitting and receiving circuit for generating the signal relatedto the transmission of the ultrasonic waves by said ultrasonic probe,and supplying to said communicator as a transmission signal to saidultrasonic probe, and generating diagnostic information in accordancewith the signal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves in saidultrasonic probe, which signal is received by said communicator;

a probe switching circuit for selecting any one of said plurality ofultrasonic probes to enable the transmission/reception to/from saidtransmitting and receiving circuit; and

a controller for controlling said probe switching circuit so that saidultrasonic probe which is not connected to said charger is selected, inaccordance with said detection signal.

With this configuration, when the operator removes the ultrasonic probeused for the diagnosis from the charger, only its ultrasonic probeexecutes the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves, and theultrasonic probe that is still connected to the charger does not executethe transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves. Thus, theultrasonic probe connected to the charger can be charged efficiently ina short time. Also, when the operator removes the ultrasonic probe usedfor the diagnosis from the charger, its ultrasonic probe isautomatically switched to the usable state. Thus, the operator has nonecessity of storing the relation between the ultrasonic probe and theselecting switch, and there is no fear that the selecting switch iserroneously operated. Hence, the improvement of the operability can beattained, and the burden on the operator can be decreased.

According to the ultrasonic probe and charger according to the presentinvention, when the ultrasonic probe is connected to the charger, thetransmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonic waves can beautomatically stopped, or the communication of the signal related to thetransmission and reception of the transducer can be disconnected fromthe outside. Thus, the ultrasonic probe connected to the charger can becharged efficiently in a short time.

Also, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonicdiagnostic system according to the present invention, when the operatorremoves the ultrasonic probe used for the diagnosis from the charger,only its ultrasonic probe executes the transmission and reception of theultrasonic waves, and the ultrasonic probe that is still connected tothe charger does not execute the transmission and reception of theultrasonic waves. Thus, the ultrasonic probe connected to the chargercan be charged efficiently in a short time. Also, when the operatorremoves the ultrasonic probe used for the diagnosis from the charger,its ultrasonic probe is automatically switched to the usable state.Thus, the operator has no necessity of memorizing the relation betweenthe ultrasonic probe and the selecting switch, and there is no fear thatthe selecting switch is erroneously operated. Hence, the improvement ofthe operability can be attained, and the burden on the operator can bedecreased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a firstembodiment in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 1B is a partially detailed block diagram showing in detail a partof FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a partially detailed block diagram showing a first variationof the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, similarly to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a partially detailed block diagram showing a second variationof the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, similarly to FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of asecond embodiment in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one example of a probe switching procedureof the controller in the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D are views showing the shape examples of thechargers in the first and second embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing an example in which, by using one charger inthe second embodiment of the present invention, the diagnosis isexecuted while the charging is executed;

FIGS. 6A, 6B are schematic configuration views of a display fordisplaying the charged state of the ultrasonic probe in the first andsecond embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration in athird embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to thepresent invention; and

FIG. 8 is a description view describing one example of a charging methodof the ultrasonic probe in the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described below in detail in accordancewith the preferable embodiments shown in the drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of thefirst embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to thepresent invention, and

FIG. 1B is a partially detailed block diagram showing the detailedcontent of the set of the three ultrasonic probes and chargers in FIG.1A. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, wireless (cordless) ultrasonic probes 1 a, 1 band 1 c (although three ultrasonic probes are shown here, four or moreultrasonic probes may be used) for ultrasonic transmission and receptionare arranged in an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 (hereafter, theultrasonic probes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c are also referred to as ultrasonicprobes A, B and C, respectively). The ultrasonic probes la, lb and lcuse rechargeable batteries 1 a 2, 1 b 2 and 1 c 2 as operational powersources, respectively, and contain: transducers lal, lbl and lcl forexecuting transmitting and receiving operations for the ultrasonicwaves; and communicators laX, lbX and leX for wirelessly communicatingwith the outside using signals related to the transmissions andreceptions by the transducers lal, lbl and lcl. By the way, each of thecommunicators laX, lbX and leX has a built-in antenna (not shown).

Here, “Signals related to Transmission and Reception” means, as fortransmission, a drive control signal for mainly driving the transducerunder the conditions such as a predetermined timing, a pulse width, andan aperture width and the like, and as for reception, echo signals(including an amplified signal and a converted signal such as adigitalized signal or the like) received by the transducers lal, lbl andlcl.

Those ultrasonic probes la, lb and lcs are normally connected tochargers laC, lbC and lcC (although three chargers are shown here, fouror more chargers may be used). The chargers laC, lbC and lcC areconnected through a power source cable lq to a power source supplier 12such as a medical plug and the like. Also, the chargers laC, lbC and leeare configured to have detectors laC1, lbC1 and lcC1 for detecting thatthe ultrasonic probes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c are connected, respectively, sothat the detection signals based on the detectors laC1, lbC1 and lcC1are transmitted through a communication cable 1 p serving as a signaltransmitter to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 contains: a controller 111 forcontrolling the entire apparatus; a transmitting/receiving circuit 112that under the control of this controller 111, generates the signalsrelated to the transmissions of the ultrasonic waves in the ultrasonicprobes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c and generates the diagnostic information inaccordance with the signals related to the receptions of the ultrasonicwaves in the ultrasonic probes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c; a DSC (Digital ScanningConverter) circuit 113 for processing various picture groups based onthe diagnostic information generated by this transmitting/receivingcircuit 112 and displaying on a monitor 114; a communicator 116 forexecuting a communication between the respective ultrasonic probes 1 a,1 b and 1 c; a probe switching circuit 115 for selecting any one of theultrasonic probes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c and executing a switching connectionso that the selected one ultrasonic probe communicates the signalrelated to the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves,through the communicator 116 to/from the transmitting/receiving circuit112; and a power source unit 117 for receiving the electric power fromthe power source supplier 12 and supplying the operational electricpower to the entire apparatus and also adding, to the controller 111,the connection detection signals of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lcto the chargers laC, lbC and lee transmitted through the communicationcable lp. By the way, the communicator 116 has an antenna 116 a andexecutes the wireless communication between the respective communicatorslaX, lbX and leX shown in FIG. 1B, as shown by the broken lines betweenthe antenna 116 a and the respective ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, inFIG. 1A.

The operations of the first embodiment configured as mentioned abovewill be described below by dividing into the case in which theultrasonic probe is not used and the case in which the ultrasonic probeis used.

<Case in which Ultrasonic Probe is not Used>

Usually, when the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are not used, thoseultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC, lbCand lee, respectively. Consequently, the chargers laC, lbC and 1 cCreceive the supply of the electric power from the power source supplier12 and charge the batteries of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc.Also, when the fact that the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc areconnected to the chargers laC, lbC and lee is detected by the detectorslaCl, lbCl and lcCl and then its detection signal is transmitted throughthe communication cable lp (the unit except the cable is allowable) tothe ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11, its detection signal istransmitted through the power source unit 117 to the controller 111. Thecontroller 111 has an identifying unit for recognizing that therespective ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to the chargerslaC, lbC and lcC. So, when the fact that all of the ultrasonic probesla, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC, lbC and lcC,respectively, is recognized, in such a way that the generation of thesignal related to the transmission of the ultrasonic waves executed bythe transmitting/receiving circuit 112 and the generation of thediagnostic information are stopped and the communications aredisconnected from all of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, the probeswitching circuit 115 is controlled. Consequently, the ultrasonic wavesare not transmitted from any of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, andonly the charging is performed on the respective ultrasonic probes la,lb and lc.

As a result, the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc connected to thechargers laC, lbC and lee, respectively, are charged efficiently in ashort time, and a voltage is never applied to the transducer. Thus, atrouble that causes the deterioration in the performance of theultrasonic probe and the reduction in the life is avoided, and thewasteful consumption of the energy is suppressed.

By the way, the above-mentioned embodiment is described for the case inwhich the detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl are located inside the chargerslaC, lbC and lcC, respectively, and the controller 111 is located insidethe ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. However, the detectors and thecontroller may be both located inside the ultrasonic probe.

<Case in which Ultrasonic Probe is Used>

When any one of the probes la, lb and lc connected to the chargers laC,lbC and lee is tried to be used, the probe to be used is removed fromthe chargers laC, lbC and lee. So, for example, when the probe la isassumed to be used, a user removes the probe la from the charger laC.Thus, its detection signal is sent from the charger laC through thepower source unit 117 to the controller 111. Consequently, thecontroller 111 determines that the ultrasonic probe la becomes usable,and activates the transmitting/receiving circuit 112 and also controlsthe probe switching circuit 115 so as to communicate with the ultrasonicprobe la. Consequently, the wireless communication is executed betweenthe communicator 116 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 and thecommunicator laX in the ultrasonic probe la. Then, the signal related tothe transmission of the ultrasonic waves is transmitted from theultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 to the ultrasonic probe la, and thesignal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves is transmittedfrom the ultrasonic probe la to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11.At this time, the ultrasonic probe la transmits and receives theultrasonic waves in accordance with the signal related to thetransmission of the ultrasonic waves, and the transmitting/receivingcircuit 112 generates the diagnostic information in accordance with thesignal related to the reception of the ultrasonic waves. The DSC circuit113 processes the various picture groups in accordance with thediagnostic information generated by the transmitting/receiving circuit112 and displays on the monitor 114.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one example of the probe switchingprocedure of the controller 111. The operations of the controller 111will be described below in accordance with this flowchart. Here, in thecontroller 111 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11, the ultrasonicprobe A, the ultrasonic probe B and the ultrasonic probe C arerecognized. Now, the ultrasonic probe A connected to the charger laC isassumed to be removed. At first, at a step 831, whether or not theultrasonic probe A is removed from the charger laC is judged. Here, ifit is determined as having been removed, then in step 832 determined isas to whether or not the ultrasonic probe except the ultrasonic probe Atransmits and receives the ultrasonic waves. At this time, if theultrasonic probe except the ultrasonic probe A does not transmit andreceive ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic probe A is controlled totransmit and receive ultrasonic waves in step 835. On the hand, in step832, if it is determined that the ultrasonic probe(s) other than theultrasonic probe A has transmitted and received ultrasonic waves, it isdetermined whether or not the ultrasonic probe(s) other than theultrasonic probe A is in use for the sake of diagnosis on the basis ofthe change in an ultrasonic image and the like, in step 833. Here, if itis determined that the ultrasonic probe(s) other than the ultrasonicprobe A is not in use, the transmission and reception of the ultrasonicwaves by the ultrasonic probe(s) other than the ultrasonic probe A arestopped in step S34. Then instep S35, it is arranged that transmissionand reception of the ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe A arepossible, and the operational flow returns to the process of step S31.In this way, in the course of repeating the processes in steps S31 toS35, for example, if it is determined that the ultrasonic probe(s) otherthan the ultrasonic probe A is in use for the sake of diagnosis in stepS33, the original determination that the ultrasonic probe A has beenremoved is considered to be caused by a false operation, and thetransmission and reception situations of the ultrasonic waves aredesigned to be unchanged.

In the above, described is the probe switching procedure when theultrasonic probe A has been removed from the charger laC. However, whenthe ultrasonic probes B or C other than the above has been removed fromthe chargers lbC, lcC, respectively, the switching operation is executedin accordance with the procedure similar to the procedure shown in FIG.3. By the way, the switching procedure of the ultrasonic probe shownhere is one example, and the switching procedure of the ultrasonic probeof the present invention is not limited thereto.

Also, in the first embodiment, it is needless to say that as thedetectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl for detecting that the ultrasonic probesla, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC, lbe and leerespectively may be used various known devices. For example, a magneticdevice such as an IC tag, or a device for identifying by opticallyreading like a bar code or an infrared sensor may be used. Furthermore,detection based on a mechanical switch that is actuated when theultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected to the chargers laC, lbCand lee, or identification based on an electrical contact between theterminals mounted on the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc and theterminals mounted on the chargers laC, lbC and lcC may be used.

The first embodiment is configured such that the detectors laCl, lbCland lcCl for detecting that the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc areconnected to the chargers laC, lbC and lcC, respectively, are arrangedon the sides of the chargers laC, lbC and lee as shown in FIG. 1B andits detection signal is transmitted through the communication cable lpto the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11. However, the presentinvention is not limited to such configuration. That is, the detectorsfor detecting that the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc are connected tothe chargers laC, lbC and lee, respectively, may be arranged on thesides of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, or may be arranged on boththe sides of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc and the chargers laC,lbC and lcC. However, when the detectors are arranged on the sides ofthe ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc, the detection signal in theconnection state can be wirelessly transmitted from the communicatorslaX, lbX and leX of the cordless ultrasonic probes to the ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus 11. In this case, the ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus body side can control so as to prevent the probe fromtransmitting the ultrasonic waves. Even in case that the detectors arearranged on the side of the chargers laC, lbC and lcC, the detectionsignal may be wirelessly transmitted to the ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus 11.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, in the case that the ultrasonicprobes la, lb and lc have been connected to the chargers laC, lbC andlee, respectively, the controller 111 in the ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus 11 controls the probe switching circuit 115 so that thetransmitting and receiving operations of the ultrasonic waves executedby the respective transducers in the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc arestopped. However, in the case that the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lchave the detectors for detecting the fact that they are connected to thechargers laC, lbC and lcC for charging the batteries, respectively, thecontrollers for stopping the transmitting and receiving operations ofthe ultrasonic waves executed by the transducers can also be arranged inthe ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc themselves. In the case that thesides of the chargers laC, lbC and lee contain the detectors fordetecting the connections of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc,respectively, the controllers for stopping the transmitting andreceiving operations of the ultrasonic waves executed by the transducerscan be similarly arranged in the chargers laC, lbC and lee.Consequently, it is possible to surely prevent the ultrasonic probe,which is in process of charging, from transmitting and receiving theultrasonic waves.

In this case, inside the controller 111 in FIG. 1A, the functionalportions that respond to the detection signals from the detectors may bearranged on the sides of the ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc in whichthe detectors are arranged and/or in the chargers laC, lbC and lee.

FIG. 1C is a view showing a part of the first variation of the firstembodiment in a manner similar to FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C shows a case in whichthe detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl are arranged in the chargers laC, lbCand lcC, respectively, and controllers laC2, lbC2 and lcC2 responding tothe detection signals from the detectors laCl, lbCl and lcCl arearranged in the chargers laC, lbC and lcC. The respective controllerslaC2, lbC2 and lcC2 have built-in communicators (not shown), and thosecommunicators can communicate with the communicators laX, lbX and leX inthe respective corresponding ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc. That is,in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 1B, the detection signals in thecommunicators laX, lbX and leX are transmitted through the communicationcable lp to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 and to be recognizedby the controller 111 in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11, and thecontrol of the transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves isexecuted between the communicator 116 in the ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus 11 and the communicators laX, lbX and leX in the correspondingultrasonic probes la, lb and lc. However, in the first variation shownin FIG. 1C, in accordance with the identification results in therespective controllers laC2, lbC2 and lcC2, the control of thetransmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves is executed throughthe communication between the built-in communicators in the controllerslaC2, lbC2 and lcC2 and the communicators laX, lbX and leX in thecorresponding ultrasonic probes la, lb and lc.

FIG. 1D is a view showing a part of a second variation of the firstembodiment, in a manner similar to FIG. 1A. That is, FIG. 1D shows acase in which detectors 1 a 3, 1 b 3 and lc3 are arranged in theultrasonic probes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c, respectively, and controllers 1 a 4,1 b 4 and 1 c 4 corresponding to the detection signals from thedetectors 1 a 3, 1 b 3 and lc3 are also arranged in the ultrasonicprobes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c. In the second variation shown in FIG. 1D, inaccordance with the identification results in the respective controllers1 a 4, 1 b 4 and 1 c 4, the controls of the transmissions and receptionsof the ultrasonic waves in the respective corresponding ultrasonicprobes 1 a, 1 b and 1 c are executed.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of thesecond embodiment of the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to thepresent invention, and exemplifies a case in which as compared with theultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 1A, four wirelessultrasonic probes 2 a are arranged as essential elements, and thoseultrasonic probes 2 a are connected to chargers 2 aC, 2 bC, 2 cC and 2dC whose configurations differ from each other. So, the respectivechargers 2 aC, 2 bC, 2 cC and 2 dC will be described below. The charger2 aC is shown as a component integrated with the ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus 11. For example, the component in which the function of thecharger is added to a probe holder is considered. The charger 2 bC isshown as a component that is connected to the power source unit 117 (seeFIG. 1A) in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11 by using a cable andthe like is shown. This configuration eliminates the necessity ofarranging the charger 2 bC in the vicinity of the ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus 11. For example, the charger 2 bC can be placed and used inthe vicinity of an examinee (patient). It is shown that for the charger2 cC the supply of the power source is performed from the external powersource supplier 12 (the medical plug and the like). Since thisconfiguration eliminates the constraint that the ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus 11 supplies the power source to the ultrasonic probe 2 a,there is no fear of the supply lack with regard to the capacity of thepower source. Also, in the ultrasonic probe 2 a, the charging ispossible at any position where the power source supplier 12 exists.Thus, there is no necessity of arranging the charger 2 cC in thevicinity of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 11, and there is also aconvenience that, even when the power source of the ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus 11 is in off state, the battery of the ultrasonicprobe 2 a can be charged. The charger 2 dC is shown as one arranged asof a portable type. Consequently, the charging of the battery in theultrasonic probe 2 a can be performed any where at any time. Hence, evenin an emergent case or under an environment in which the power sourcesupplier 12 such as the medical plug or the like does not exist, thebattery of the ultrasonic probe 2 a can be charged.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are views showing the shape examples of the chargers inthe above-mentioned respective embodiments. Among them, a charger 41shown in FIG. 4A indicates, for example, the shape such as a desktopholder of a portable telephone, and the ultrasonic probe is connectedthereto. A charger 42 shown in FIG. 4B indicates, for example, a shapesuch as a connection connector used to charge the portable telephone orthe other electric equipment, and this connection connector is connectedto the ultrasonic probe. A charger 43 shown in FIG. 4C and a charger 44shown in FIG. 4D are those where, for example, the function of a chargeris added to the probe holder. By the way, the shape examples of thechargers shown here indicate one example, and they do not evidentlydefine the shape of the charger according to the present invention.

Now an example will be described hereinbelow using FIG. 5, whereindiagnosis is performed during charging by way of a charger according tothe second embodiment of the present invention. Unless charging has beenperformed in the cordless ultrasonic probe that is operated with achargeable battery as the power source, the ultrasonic probe cannot beused.

For this reason, when the ultrasonic probe is not used for diagnosis, itis assumed that the ultrasonic probe has been connected to the charger.However, it can also be assumed that the user may forget to connect theultrasonic probe to the charger. When it is desired to emergently use anultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, it would be very inconvenient if it isnecessary to wait for battery charging. So, as shown in FIG. 5, anultrasonic probe 51 that remains connected to the charger is used, andthe stopping of the transmitting and receiving operations of theultrasonic waves is released, and ultrasonic diagnosis of an examinee 52may be consequently executed. At that time, under the consideration ofthe safety to the examinee 52, floating is naturally required to beexecuted between the external power source supplier 12 (the medical plugor the like) and a probe 21, by using a transformer or the like.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic configuration views of charging statedisplays for displaying the charging state of the ultrasonic probes inthe above-mentioned embodiments. In the above views, in a charging statedisplay 61 shown in FIG. 6A, LEGs, whose color varies correspondingly toa filled state (Fill), a charging state (Charge) and an empty state(Empty), are arranged, and in a charging state display 62 shown in FIG.6B, a plurality of light emitting devices whose lateral widths aresequentially different from the empty state (Empty) to the filled state(Fill). The charging state display 61 or 62 may be arranged on theultrasonic probe itself or the charger. Consequently, since the chargingstate of the ultrasonic probe can be identified at a glance, theoblivion of charging is protected. By the way, the shape of the displayshown here indicates one example, and the shape of the display accordingto the present invention is not evidently limited thereto.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the schematic configuration of thethird embodiment in the ultrasonic diagnostic system according to thepresent invention. For example, a portable ultrasonic diagnosticapparatus 71 such as a notebook personal computer is used. Since theportable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 71 shown in FIG. 7 is small insize, it is difficult to reserve a position at which a conventionalprobe connector is to be mounted, and there is a limit of the size ofthe battery. For this reason, as the ultrasonic probe combined with theportable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 71, the development of thewireless ultrasonic probe 2 a in which the battery of the charging typeis built is requested. As this portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus71 and the wireless ultrasonic probe 2 a become popular, the use regionof the ultrasonic diagnosis may extend more and more, without regard toinside or outside a hospital or the like. This third embodiment is veryeffective when the use in such occasion is considered.

FIG. 8 is a descriptive view for describing one example of the chargingmethod of the ultrasonic probe. As described by using FIG. 5, when thediagnosis is executed while the ultrasonic probe is charged by thecharger, by using the insulating transformer between the examinee andthe external power source supplier (the medical plug or the like), thepatient side is required to be floated from the power source supplyside. FIG. 8 shows its configuration example, and between a probe sidebattery 81 that is on the patient side and a power source side charger81, it is desired that insulating transformers 83 insulated from eachother are used to supply the electric power. This configurationincreases the safety. By the way, FIG. 8 shows only a part of the probeside battery 81 and the power source side charger 82.

According to the ultrasonic probe and the charger according to thepresent invention, when they are not used, the transmission of theultrasonic waves is stopped, which can protect the deterioration in theperformance of the probe and the reduction in the life, and can suppressthe wasteful energy consumption and contribute to the energy saving.Thus, they are useful for establishing the ultrasonic diagnostic system.

Also, according to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonicdiagnostic system according to the present invention, when the userselects the probe corresponding to the diagnosis target from theplurality of probes, the probe to be used is removed from the charger.Thus, since the removed probe is automatically switched to the usablestate, the user has no necessity of memorizing the correspondencerelation between the probe and the selecting switch, and there is nofear that the selecting switch is erroneously operated. Hence, theoperability is very improved, and the burden on the user is decreased,which is useful for the ultrasonic diagnostic system.

1. An ultrasonic probe comprising: a rechargeable battery; a transducerthat uses said battery as an operational power source and transmits andreceives ultrasonic waves; a communicator that uses said battery as theoperational power source and wirelessly communicates with an ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus using a signal related to the transmission andreception by said transducer; a detector for detecting, by theultrasonic probe, that said battery is connected to a charger, which isconnected to an external power source separately provided from saidultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; and a controller in communication withthe detector, for stopping, by the ultrasonic probe according to adetection result of the detector, transmitting and receiving operationsof the ultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when it isdetected by said detector that said battery is connected to saidcharger, such that the ultrasonic probe both detects that said batteryis connected to said charger, and then stops the transmitting andreceiving operations of the ultrasonic waves according to the detectionresult of the detector, said controller being configured for releasingstopping of transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves in casesaid ultrasonic probe is to be used with said ultrasonic probe beingconnected to said charger.
 2. A charger for charging a battery of anultrasonic probe that contains a transducer for transmitting andreceiving ultrasonic waves using a rechargeable battery as anoperational power source, and a communicator for wirelesslycommunicating with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using a signalrelated to the transmission and reception by said transducer, saidcharger comprising: a detector for detecting, by the charger, that saidultrasonic probe is connected to said charger to charge said battery;and a controller for stopping, by the charger using communicationsbetween the charger and said ultrasonic probe, the transmitting andreceiving operations of ultrasonic waves that are executed by saidtransducer, when the connection of said ultrasonic probe is detected bysaid detector, wherein the charger is separate from the ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus and receives charging power for charging thebattery from a power source separate from and external to the ultrasonicdiagnostic apparatus, and said controller being configured for releasingstopping of transmission and reception of the ultrasonic waves in casesaid ultrasonic probe is to be used with said ultrasonic probe beingconnected to said charger.
 3. A charger for charging a battery of anultrasonic probe that contains a transducer that uses a rechargeablebattery as an operational power source and executes transmitting andreceiving operations of ultrasonic waves, and a communicator thatwirelessly communicates with an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus using asignal related to the transmission and reception of said transducer,said charger comprising: a detector for detecting, by the charger, thatsaid ultrasonic probe is connected to said charger to charge saidbattery; a signal transmitter for transmitting a detection signal fromsaid detector to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus; and a controllerfor stopping, by the charger using communications between the chargerand said ultrasonic probe, the transmitting and receiving operations ofultrasonic waves that are executed by said transducer, when theconnection of said ultrasonic probe is detected by said detector,wherein the charger is separate from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatusand receives charging power for charging the battery from a power sourceseparate from and external to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, saidcontroller being configured for releasing stopping of transmission andreception of the ultrasonic waves in case said ultrasonic probe is to beused with said ultrasonic probe being connected to said charger.
 4. Theultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the communicator of theultrasonic probe wirelessly transmits a detection signal from thedetector to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
 5. The ultrasonic probeaccording to claim 1, wherein said charger is so arranged that it issupplied with power through a floating system provided between saidprobe and said external power source.